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Chapter 48

Exploration of caves: Underwater exploration

Jill Heinerth
Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Ottawa, ON, Canada

When some cavers reach a water-filled sump, a sigh of disappointment rises in their throats—the end of accessible exploration. To
cave divers, this is the portal to a new frontier of discovery (Fig. 1). In the last 80 years, the underwater exploration of caves has
evolved from a high-risk adventure for self-described gear inventors to an evolved application of new technology driven by human
endurance.
The evolution has been rapid and extensive and world record penetration dives of three decades past are today conducted as
routine excursions in a cave diving class. Exploration has moved from vast open passages into tight, secluded sites, highly tech-
nical expeditions to remote locations and sump dives to previously unimaginable depths. Beyond stretching the limits of human
endeavor, cave diving exploration has expanded into serious “technical diving.”
Three factors have contributed to increased range and productivity within cave diving exploration: global availability of
training and mentoring, improved quality and availability of cave diving and life support equipment, and the development of
advanced technologies for exploration and survey.
Currently, cave diving educational programs are available from training agencies on every continent. The distinction between
for-profit and nonprofit training organizations has disappeared. From Finland to China to Australia, groups and social networks
have united people with cave diving interests and the desire to seek general and specialized educational opportunities. For the most
part, that explosion of availability and interest has been relatively recent. After forward progress was halted by a water-filled sump
in the Mendip Hills of the United Kingdom in 1935, cavers organized mentoring programs and equipment for the exploration of
the flooded caves of Somerset. The goal of the British Cave Diving Group (CDG) was to teach good cavers how to dive as opposed
to training divers how to explore underwater caves. In North America, training emerged much later. American cave diving
pioneer, Sheck Exley, published Basic Cave Diving: A Blueprint for Survival (Exley, 1986), taking a sober look at accident
analysis and creating the foundation for formalized training. Since that time, numerous international organizations have used
his basic rules as the centerpiece for teaching safe cave diving. In the last decade, entry-level recreational diver certifications
may have leveled off, but participation in technical diving programs is still growing. In a survey conducted by the SDI/TDI Group
(SCUBA Diving International and Technical Diving International) almost 4 out of 10 divers indicated they were “diving tech” or
they were interested in taking a technical diving program of some sort within 12 months (PADI, 2010). Cave diving represents a
large segment of that technical diving community, which includes deep wreck divers and anyone diving beyond the range of direct
and immediate ascent in an emergency situation.
The earliest training programs focused on essential cave diving skills. Today, specialized training by accredited and insured
instructors is available in activities including sidemount and no-mount exploration, deep mixed-gas cave diving, diver propulsion
vehicles (DPVs), photography, surveying, cartography, and the use of closed-circuit rebreathers (CCRs) in caves. Classes for
many of these pursuits are available in Florida, Mexico, the Bahama Islands, France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, Australia, South
Africa, Brazil, and Russia, with more destinations, instructors, and infrastructure growing around the world.
Equipment development for cave divers was aggressive in the 1970s, driving many of the safety enhancements that we take for
granted in diving today. Valve manifolds, octopus second stages, buoyancy devices, and reels were developed and refined in this
decade. Accurate underwater cave maps matured alongside, pioneered in America by Sheck Exley, Bob Friedman, and Frank
Martz. Lighting instruments were also improved, and new “Goodman” light-head handles enabled the use of two hands for laying
line and making better surveys. Additional tanks called stage bottles, permitted divers to extend their penetrations significantly,
and the mapped underwater cave passages in North Florida were extended more than 30 miles. However, with increased activity,
came higher mortality rates. In 1974, fatalities peaked with 28 individuals perishing in water-filled caves (Bozanic and
Halpern, 1974).
In the early 1980s, cave diving became the subject of the mainstream media. A television program, Descent into Darkness,
introduced the sport to wider audiences. During this period, the NSS-CDS published the first Cave Diving Manual. Toward the

Encyclopedia of Caves. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814124-3.00048-0

414 Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
 Exploration of caves: Underwater exploration Chapter 48 415

FIG. 1 Brian Kakuk explores the beauty of “The

Badlands” of Dan’s Cave in Abaco, Bahamas. His efforts
are bringing the country ever closer to preserving this
unique region, South Abaco Blue holes Conservation Area,
as a part of the National Park system.

end of the 1980s, cave diving became more technical. CCRs, exotic gases, and DPVs increased the range of individual divers and
groups, including the United States Deep Caving Team and the Woodville Karst Plain Project (WKPP). In 1987, Dr. Bill Stone
made the first 24-hour cave excursion using a CCR, ushering in the dawn of a new age of extremely technical dives.
Currently, CCRs, DPVs, and small, high-powered LED lights are facilitating remarkable exploration. Advanced dive com-
puters, capable of multigas and multialgorithm profiling, have made decompression diving safer and more efficient. Decom-
pression algorithms are traded openly on iPhones instead of being held secretly in the hands of elite teams. Timeworn,
celebrated caves such as Ginnie Springs (Devil’s Ear and Eye), Peacock Springs State Park in Florida, and sites around the world
are enjoying a new era of exploration, as young divers penetrate beyond the ends of lines, often in passages that were previously
thought to be too small for continued effort. In many cases, new base levels and connections to other openings are being reported
and subsequently surveyed.
One of the tools supporting new cave exploration is the sidemount diving technique. Divers have come to recognize that this
versatile configuration is one of the most comfortable, stable, and safe ways to enter smaller passages that had been previously
overlooked. Although this style of cave diving is not new, off-the-shelf equipment solutions from trusted manufacturers, new
textbooks, and training opportunities have expanded the practice of sidemount diving. Most international training agencies offer
specialized programs in sidemount diving and advanced technical configurations for exploration (Figs. 2 and 3).
The first sidemount cave exploration took place beneath the hills of Northern England in the early 1960s. British cave diver
Mike Boon explored the sumps of Hardrawkin Pot in Yorkshire, England by slinging the cylinder on his side with a bandolier-style
harness.
The impetus for sidemount diving in North America came from a much darker episode. In the late 1970s, a diver fatally pinned
himself in an impossibly narrow crevice in Royal Spring in North Florida. Divers Sheck Exley and Wes Skiles were unable to
reach him in their traditional back mounted cylinders. Exley, holding a tank at his side, slid into the crevice beside the dead diver,
breaking him loose from the cave. Skiles, seeing this configuration in action, quickly realized the potential for exploration of
smaller passages, and thus, sidemount cave exploration began to expand through the United States. Other pioneering explorers
including Woody Jasper, Forrest Wilson, Court Smith, Mark Long, Tom Morris, and Lamar Hires continued to evolve and refine
the system, leading to its popularity today.
Perhaps the most significant paradigm shift in underwater cave exploration is the adoption of rebreather technology. In the late
1990s, Dr. Bill Stone pioneered the development and marketing of the first fully electronic CCRs targeted to noncommercial
divers and explorers. At Wakulla Springs, the US Deep Caving Team, using Stone’s Cis-Lunar MK-5P rebreathers, along with
his advanced sonar-based mapper and FatMan scooters, accomplished the first accurate three-dimensional (3D) model of an
underwater cave environment (Fig. 4). Some of the most impressive deep cave penetrations of the decade were logged by
members of The WKPP using a purpose-built semiclosed-circuit rebreather (SCR). In 2007, a 7-mile traverse by Jarrod Jablonski
and Casey McKinley (Kernagis et al., 2008) linked two separate openings and had the cave diving community wondering whether
they had reached the boundaries of human endurance. In the last decade, supported by the broad commercial availability of CCRs
a new wave of exploration is underway. Numerous manufacturers have established a viable worldwide commercial rebreather
market. Most training organizations support rebreather education programs, giving cave divers access to safe, standardized
416 Encyclopedia of Caves

FIG. 2 Lamar Hires demonstrates the perfect trim afforded by the sidemount diving system.

FIG. 3 A sidemount diver may easily remove a single tank to negotiate a restriction and minimize impact on the cave itself.

instruction. Once a rare curiosity, rebreathers are now common technology at most technical diving sites. Small groups are con-
ducting unfathomable penetrations with minimal support, eclipsing previous efforts by very large teams. On November 4, 2016,
Jonathan Bernot and Charlie Roberson established a new world record of 26,930 ft penetration from air in an underwater cave at
Cathedral Canyon, Florida. This dive surpasses the previous record of 25,776 ft set in 2008 by Jarrod Jablonski and Casey
McKinlay at Wakulla Springs, Florida.
 Exploration of caves: Underwater exploration Chapter 48 417

FIG. 4 The author driving the Wakulla Mapper and using the
Cis-Lunar MK5P rebreather during the US Deep Caving Team
explorations of the late 1990s. (Photo by Wes Skiles/US Deep Diving
Team.)

Rebreather diving is not a new idea. Rebreathers were available long before traditional open-circuit SCUBA equipment. Open-
circuit divers use either back- or side-mounted high-pressure cylinders affixed to buoyancy control devices (BCD) called wings.
A regulator attached to a tank lowers the pressure of the supply gas so that it can be delivered to the diver on demand as she inhales.
As the diver exhales, the resulting bubbles are vented directly into the water column. Since humans only use a minimal portion of
the oxygen molecules in an inhaled breath for metabolism, they exhale vital leftovers and create waste. A rebreather takes
advantage of the exhaled bubbles by recapturing them, scrubbing them clean of carbon dioxide and returning them to the diver
with the addition of supplemental oxygen, maintaining an appropriate level of life support. The first rebreathers were pure oxygen
rebreathers which could only be used at very shallow depths, but allowed much longer, bubble-free operation for divers.
SCRs developed as interest grew in rebreathers and applications demanded technology for deeper depths. SCRs inject a slow,
steady stream of oxygen enriched air (nitrox) or trimix into a set of breathing bags. As the diver’s exhaled breath is recaptured by
the system, a few bubbles are vented off, and fresh gas is injected to make up the difference. The equipment and flow rate are
carefully calibrated so that the injection stream makes up the correct volume of oxygen lost through bubbles and diver metabolism.
SCRs act as gas extenders and provide longer no-decompression times over standard air diving, but have the disadvantage of
venting some gas. Various advances over the years enhanced this technology to reduce wastage through bubbling and increase
monitoring capability.
Fully CCRs offer the most advantages over standard SCUBA. A CCR only vents gas during the ascent. It has the highest
efficiency and nets divers the longest no-decompression times. This technology can be up to 200 times more efficient than
standard open-circuit SCUBA, dependent on depth; the ratio of efficiency improving at deeper ranges. Many modern CCRs
are independently tested life support devices that better protect the diver from human error and undetected dangers such as carbon
dioxide buildup. The Sentinel rebreather designed by Kevin Gurr brought to the market the first application of an advanced
onboard carbon dioxide monitoring system. The three-pronged approach monitors the volume of oxygen that passes through
the solenoid valve to estimate the production of carbon dioxide. It tracks the thermal profile of the reaction zone within the
bed of scrubber material and monitors gaseous carbon dioxide within the breathing loop using infrared technology, netting a rea-
sonable expectation of scrubber life as well as detecting errors in the preparation of the scrubber or failures of the system.
Carbon dioxide is thought to be the least understood and greatest risk to rebreather divers. Difficult to track and impossible to
detect at autopsy, carbon dioxide poisoning may turn out to be the silent killer that has taken the lives of dozens of rebreather
divers in the last decade. Professor Simon Mitchell from the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Auckland and
Auckland City Hospital leads the industry in researching the issues of carbon dioxide buildup and retention in divers. His paper,
Hyperbaric Conditions gives a comprehensive account of relevant physiology. Mitchell describes that the act of diving itself alters
respiratory control. He describes that sensitivity to CO2 may be reduced by an increased partial pressure of oxygen, increased
partial pressure of nitrogen, and increased work of breathing—all aspects of rebreather diving. In particular, he believes that
an increased work of breathing results in varying degrees of CO2 tolerance which may subsequently lead to the diver failing
to recognize and correct a potentially life-threatening scenario. To combat this issue, solid-state carbon dioxide monitors and
sensing devices that track alveolar carbon dioxide levels are in development by numerous researchers (Fig. 5).
418 Encyclopedia of Caves

FIG. 5 The author diving in a Sentinel Expedition

rebreather that offers not only a gaseous carbon dioxide
monitor, but also a large heads-up display with lights and
vibrating buzzer that alerts the diver to life-threatening
scenarios.

Poseidon Diving Systems recently brought to the market, the first working solid-state oxygen sensing technology that replaces
less reliable, consumable galvanic oxygen sensors that are linked to numerous failures and accidents. Oxygen sensors are a crucial
component, informing the rebreather control systems about the partial pressure of oxygen within the breathing loop. They notify
the electronics package when solenoid should fire and send more life-giving oxygen into a diver’s breathing loop and alert the
computer system when too much oxygen could cause a toxicity seizure that might result in drowning.
Traditional galvanic oxygen sensors were devised initially for applications within the medical and automotive industry. Inside
these relatively inexpensive devices, a chemical reaction is produced when the potassium hydroxide in the cell comes into contact
with oxygen. An electric current between a lead anode and the gold-plated cathode is generated proportionally to the concentration
(partial pressure) of oxygen present on the cell’s membrane.
The problem with using galvanic oxygen sensors within diving applications is that they are exposed to significant ranges in
temperature, mechanical shock from transportation and they slowly degrade in a way that causes them fail from the top readings
down in an unpredictable fashion. Worse yet, calibration procedures conducted before diving may not offer reliable data at partial
pressures up to 1.6 and beyond while getting wet inside a diver’s CCR. The distrust in electro-galvanic sensors is so great that
manufacturers put three or more in a rebreather so that voting logic can help to validate their readings or inform the diver when an
abort is necessary.
Poseidon’s factory-calibrated solid-state sensor provides an accurate and highly reliable digital output and can be permanently
installed in a rebreather without the need for user calibration or periodic replacement.
The solid-state sensor uses special luminescent dyes, which are excited with red light. This oxygen-dependent glow is detected
in the range of near-infrared light (NIR). Optical filters read the color pigments on the membrane and with the help of a temper-
ature sensor, reliably translate that information into a reading on the diver’s handset. Compared to galvanic oxygen sensors, these
new solid-state sensors show unsurpassed shelf life, operational lifetime, and calibration stability.
Cave diving fatalities have declined in the past 30 years, yet rebreather diving deaths at long range and deep recoveries are still
rising. The industry is at an innovative stage where instructors and divers are working out common codes of practice, manufac-
turers are unregulated in many regions, and equipment testing is sometimes undertaken with human divers using gear that has no
independent oversight. In evermore litigious times, it will be incumbent on the industry to self-police through the adoption of
policies such as CE.1
After proving the value of the Wakulla 3D Mapper in the late 1990s, Dr. Bill Stone went back to the drawing table to make the
next huge leap in exploration technology. In 2007, DepthX made a historic dive in La Pilita cenote in Tamaulipas, Mexico, accu-
rately mapping the sink in three dimensions, autonomously. It appears that the real future of cave mapping may not include
humans. The untethered device dropped to a maximum depth of 100 m while compiling 340,000 sonar wall hits during an approx-
imately 1-hour duration mission. The device’s sonar arrays “scanned” the wall in 360 degrees and even noted the presence of a

1. CE EN14143 Essentially any person or company in Europe that is importing, manufacturing, selling, or using rebreathers requires a valid CE marking on the equipment. If it does not have a valid CE marking, then
they are breaking the laws or regulations in their country, and the enforcement body in that country can ban the import, obtain court injunctions to stop manufacture or sale and seize the goods. If there are accidents from
use of such equipment, it may become a criminal liability for the directors of the company involved. EN14143 is a testing and documentation protocol for all PPO2 monitors for use with a rebreather that is imported,
manufactured, sold, or used in work in Europe.
 Exploration of caves: Underwater exploration Chapter 48 419

20-m-diameter tunnel leading off from the western wall of the chamber at a depth of approximately 40 m (http://www.
stoneaerospace.com/news-/news-zacaton-mission4.php). As Stone continues to miniaturize this apparatus, it appears the future
of underwater cave mapping will not only be more accurate, but safer.
In 2017, Stone’s Sunfish artificially intelligent, autonomous, robot mapper demonstrated a 3D mapping mission of a distance
of 150 m without direction from programmers. It navigated the complex branching passages of Peacock Springs Cave System
from Peacock One to Pothole Sink and returned without intervention. The accuracy of the data from the mission exceeded those
ever produced by human explorers.
In 2017, National Geographic Innovation Fellow and MIT engineering graduate, Corey Jaskolski is leading efforts to preserve
archeological evidence with his Digital Preservation Project. He is producing the highest resolution 3D scans of archeology finds
and contexts at sites that are in critical danger from looting, war/conflict, or environmental change. He achieved submillimeter
accuracy in digital models that can be projected within AR headsets such as the Microsoft HoloLens or can be 3D printed with
stunning accuracy. He is also applying numerous technologies to image caves in 360 degrees using photogrammetry. Today,
casual divers are adopting 360 degrees cameras and consumer software packages like Agisoft to collect immersive 360° views
that can be viewed on computers and gaming devices.
In January 2017, the longest underwater cave system was logged at over 347 km in length with the connection of Sac Actun,
and Dos Ojos systems near Tulum, Mexico. Divers around the world are using supplemental heating, better DPVs, and decom-
pression habitats to increase range and safety for long range and deep dives. There seems to be no end to the potential for under-
water cave exploration as new technology and life support opens more remote frontiers. Numerous challenges and rewards await
the next generation of cave diving explorers. Physical and technological advances are increasing the depths and penetrations that
are humanly possible. The coming era may feature exciting new technologies from hard suits to miniature AI robots to thermal
imaging and new decompression strategies. With education, mentoring, and experience, few limitations stand before the
imagination of those willing to push the limits of underwater cave exploration.

Bibliography
Bozanic, J., Halpern, R., 1974. Cave diving fatalities, a summary. In: Workshop presentation for the NSS-CDS Annual Conference, Marianna, Florida.
Burge, J., 1988. Basic Underwater Cave Surveying, first ed. Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society, Huntsville, AL.
Exley, S., 1986. Basic Cave Diving: A Blueprint for Survival, fifth ed. National Speleological Society. ISBN: 978-9994663378.
Exley, S., 1994. Caverns Measureless to Man. Cave Books, St. Louis, MO, ISBN: 0939748258.
Gurr, K., 2010. Technical Diving from the Bottom Up. VR Technology.
Heinerth, J., 2014. The Basics of Rebreather Diving. Heinerth Productions Inc., ISBN: 978-1940944005
Heinerth, J., 2017a. The Essentials of Cave Diving, third ed. Heinerth Productions Inc., ISBN: 978-1940944241
Heinerth, J., 2017b. Technology in diving. DIVER Mag. 42, 22–29.
Heinerth, J., Oigarden, W., 2008. Cave Diving: Articles and Opinions. Heinerth Productions Inc.
Kakuk, B., Heinerth, J., 2010. Side Mount Profiles. Heinerth Productions Inc.
Kernagis, D., McKinlay, C., Kincaid, T., 2008. Dive logistics of the Turner to Wakulla Cave Traverse. In: Brueggeman, P., Pollock, N.W. (Eds.), Diving for
Science 2008. Proceedings of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences 27th Symposium. Dauphin Island, AL.
PADI, 2010. Global Certification & Membership Statistics. June 2010, www.padi.com.
Another random document with
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 Rakastuneet menivät sivuhuoneeseen, saadakseen olla kahden
kesken. Katri tuli puhumaan kihlauksesta ja häävalmistuksista. Minä
sanoin, että se oli liian varhaista, ja käskin hänen mennä suohon.
Hän ei kuitenkaan mennyt pitemmälle kuin keittiöön.

Mutta nyt alkoi seinän takaa kuulua naurua ja tukahtunutta

läiskinää. Raotin hiljaa ovea ja huomasin, että nuoret olivat ottaneet
itselleen vapauksia, jotka kuuluivat rakkauden myöhempään
kehityskauteen. Yllätin heidät äkkiä, otin ankaran muodon ja sanoin:

"Vai niin, te varastatte täällä suudelmia etukäteen!"

Rakastuneet karahtivat tulipunaisiksi ja katselivat hämillään toinen

lattiaan, toinen kattoon. Mutta minä jatkoin:

"Minä olin tuntenut nykyisen vaimoni viisi vuotta, eikä päähänikään

pälkähtänyt suudella häntä ennen kuin olimme julkikihloissa."

"Sinä hävytön valehtelija!" torui Katri, joka huomaamattani oli

hiipinyt selkäni taakse.

Nyt oli minun vuoroni punehtua.

"No, jos joskus otin pikku muiskun, tein sen siksi, että sinun teki
niin kovin mielesi."

"Ohoo, isäseni! Vai teki minun mieleni! Tämä menee liian pitkälle!"
soimasi Katri ja antoi nuorille rohkaisevia silmäniskuja aivan kuin
olisi sanonut: muiskailkaa te vaan, ei siitä huulet kulu!

Huomasin enemmät estelyt turhiksi sen jälkeen kun olin näin

häpeällisellä tavalla tullut paljastetuksi, ja jätin nuoret rauhaan.
 Jonkun viikon kuluttua vietettiin nuorten kihlajaisia. Setä Samuli
sai kutsun; hän olisikin muutoin loukkaantunut kauheasti.
Huomatessaan, että poika n:o 2 oli nähnyt päivänvalon, ei hänen
paheksumisellaan ollut mitään rajoja. Hän sanoi paljon muun hyvän
ohella:

"Niinhän se on kuin minä aina olen sanonut: minun

vaatimattomimpiakaan toivomuksiani ei oteta varteen. Ja kuitenkin
olen auttanut teitä yhdessä ja toisessa asiassa. Mutta
kiittämättömyys on maailman palkka!"

Emme voineet puolustaa itseämme. Ainoaksi lohdutukseksi

saatoimme huomauttaa sedälle, että parannus ei kenties vielä ollut
myöhäistä, mutta siihen hän ei tuntunut paljoa luottavan.

Tietysti piti Sirkan kihlajaisissaan laulaa. Sen hän tekikin ilolla, ja

minusta tuntui, ettei hän konsertissakaan ollut sellaisella hartaudella
laulanut.

Katri puuhasi kuin paras emäntä konsanaan. Kesken kaiken hän

kysyi:

"Mutta sanoppa, Sirkka, miten tavoitit niin äkkiä uuden sulhasesi?"

Tyttö nauroi.

"Jättäydyitkö sinä aikoinasi yhden varaan! Minä tunsin tämän

ennen kuin sen edellisen."

Minä huomautin, että nuoret tytöt valinnassaan usein erehtyvät:

jättävät hyvän ja ottavat huonomman. Sirkka sanoi:
 "Valitettavasti minäkin annoin turhamielisyyden johtaa itseäni
harhaan.
Suostuin siihen, jolla oli sileämpi ulkokuori ja liukkaammat sanat.
Onneksi tuli onnettomuus ja paljasti miehen todellisen olemuksen."

Katria alkoi naurattaa.

"Missä se entinen varatuomari nyt on? Hänen isänsä piti olla

valtioneuvos ja ties mitä kaikkea."

"Hän oli yhtä paljon tuomari kuin hänen isänsä valtioneuvos.

Rappiolle joutunut ylioppilas, joka oli laiskotellut yliopistossa muka
lakitiedettä lukien."

Minulla oli puheenvuoro.

"Hän uhkasi vetää minut oikeuteen tulevan vaimonsa omaisuuden

hukkaamisesta. Tähän päivään mennessä ei haastetta ole kuulunut."

Lopuksi en malta olla mainitsematta, että setä osoitti kihlatuille

suurta huomaavaisuutta. Melkein tuntui siltä kuin hän olisi alkanut
kohdistaa toivomuksensa sinnepäin, koska Katri ja minä olimme
pettäneet hänen luottamuksensa. Saattoi pitää päätettynä asiana,
että hän Sirkan hääpäivänä olisi paikalla reumatismineen ja
shekkikirjoineen.

Katri ja minä elimme Sirkan onnessa uudelleen ensi rakkautemme

ja kihlauksemme ihania kevätaikoja…
YHDEKSÄSTOISTA LUKU.

Madonna ja lapsi.

Taaskin oli pari onnellista vuotta vierinyt. Meillä oli sillävälin ollut
sanomalehdessä ilmoitus:

"SYNTYNYT.

Jumala lahjoitti meille terveen pojan.

Katri ja Kalle ———."

Se oli kolmas järjestyksessä. Voitte arvata, miten setä Samuli

irvisti, jos sattui tuon tiedonannon lukemaan, mikä on enemmän kuin
luultavaa, sillä hän tutki hyvin tarkkaan lehtien ilmoitusosaston.

Sirkkaa on jo vuoden sanottu tohtorinrouva Valtimoksi. Hän jatkaa

uutterasti lauluopintojaan ja esiintyy usein omissa konserteissa tai
avustajana monenlaisissa tilaisuuksissa. Tohtori Valtimo on etevä
amatööri, joka soittelee viulua ja säestää vaimoansa. Heidän
onnestaan ei puutu muuta kuin… Mutta kunhan aika tulee…
 Viisastuneena katkerista kokemuksistani epäilin ryhtyä
toistamiseen vakinaisen kodin perustamiseen, mutta kun sain tietää
eräästä luotettavien henkilöiden muodostamasta asunto-
osakeyhtiöstä, liityin siihen kuitenkin osakkaaksi. Enkä ole
kauppaani katunut. Tohtori Valtimokin on yhtiömiehenä ja lähimpänä
naapurinamme. Me muodostamme yhteisen suuren perheen, joten
meillä on joka päivä tilaisuus kuulla Sirkan laulua ja hänellä leikkiä
lastemme kanssa, joita hän niin paljon rakastaa.

Teimme juuri muuttoa uuteen taloon. Saimme vielä kerran ahertaa

oman kodin rakentamispuuhissa; se oli rasittava tehtävä, mutta
samalla rakas ja toivoa herättävä. Huonekalut olivat jo järjestetyt, ja
Katri asetteli uutimia paikoilleen. Minä autoin häntä pitäen kiinni
tuolia, jolla hän seisoi. Ikkunastamme oli laaja, ihana näköala yli
meren rannattoman ulapan. Aurinko meni lännessä mailleen, ja illan
varjot alkoivat laskeutua yli meluavan kaupungin.

Tuntui kuin olisi joulu tai juhannus ovella.

Saatuaan työnsä valmiiksi hypähti Katri alas ja horjahtui

putoamaan syliini. Laskin hänet hellästi maahan.

Istuuduimme sohvalle ja katselimme ääneti toisiamme. Poveamme

paisutti onni niin syvä ja täyteläinen, että mitkään sanat eivät kykene
sitä ilmaisemaan. Vihdoinkin, vihdoinkin olivat murheen mustat pilvet
poistuneet ja riemun päivä paistoi täydeltä terältään.

"Minusta tuntuu kuin olisi onnemme tullut aivan odottamatta",

puhkesi
Katri vihdoin puhumaan.
 "Odottamatta, niin, mutta ei aivan ansiotta. Olemmehan ostaneet
sen vuosien pettymyksillä ja raskailla kärsimyksillä."

Hämärtyvässä huoneessa näin kyyneleen päilyvän Katrin

silmänurkassa.

"Kun muistelen menneitä, raskaita aikoja, tuntuu minusta kuin

kaikki olisi pahaa unta tai kauhea painajainen."

"Samoin minustakin. Ja tuntuu lisäksi kuin ei meidän sopisi syyttää

ketään tai olla katkera kellekään. Kaikki on ollut meidän
hyväksemme. Sillä se, joka on kestänyt onnettomuuden, ymmärtää
oikein käyttää onneakin."

Katri nyökkäsi ääneti ja ymmärtävästi ja sanoi hiljaa:

"Oletko antanut anteeksi niille, jotka ovat olleet syyllisiä

kärsimyksiimme?"

Minä nyökkäsin vuorostani.

"Sillekin, joka istuu…"

Sen nimen paljas muisto riitti täyttämään minut kauhulla. Vastasin:

"Se kurja hylkiö oli tietämättään Sallimuksen kädessä välikappale,

jonka avulla uusi onnemme luotiin."

Me istuimme kauan. Sydämeni oli niin täysi, että oli vaikea olla
puhumatta.

"Miten olisi minun käynyt, ellet sinä olisi ollut minua tukemassa,
Katri! Sinua minun tulee kiittää kaikesta."
 Hän vastasi:

"Muistatko hetkeä, jolloin päätimme mennä naimisiin ja puhelimme

toimeentulostamme? Sinä arvelit, että alussa tulisimme paljaalla
rakkaudella toimeen."

"Ja sinä vakuutit, että rakkaus auttaa meitä vaikeuksissa. Nyt

huomaan, miten oikeassa sinä olit. Rakkaus se antoi meille voimaa
elämään silloin kun kaikki olivat meidät hyljänneet ja velkojat,
haastemiehet ja ulosottajat olivat ainoat, jotka meitä käynnillään
kunnioittivat."

Esikoisemme, joka jo käveli, vaikka mieluummin neljällä jalalla,

konttasi sisään ja alkoi kiskoa pöytäliinaa. "Katri kielsi, mutta
poikavekara ei ollut millänsäkään vaan raastoi kaikin voimin. Silloin
Katri torui:

"Jos ei Kullervo tottele, niin huijari tulee!"

Säikähtyneenä juoksi lapsi äitinsä luo, kätki päänsä helmaan ja

jokelsi;

"Tulekot huijati nyt?"

"Ei, jos Kullervo on kiltti, niin huijari ei tule."

"Miksi olet ruvennut peloittelemaan lasta huijarista puhumalla?

Näethän, miten se vapisee", sanoin minä.

Hän silitti hellästi lapsen päätä ja sanoi:

"Minusta on mieletöntä säikyttää lapsia möröillä ja pöröillä, joita ei

ole olemassa. Huijari sitävastoin on todellinen, ja on hyödyllistä jo
lapsena oppia tuntemaan, että se on kauhea olento, joka tekee
pahaa."

Sitte hän meni ja toi sylyksen puita ja latoi pesään. Olimme siksi
vanhanaikaisia, että pidimme runollista, räiskyvää takkavalkeata
kaikkia kehuttuja keskuslämmityslaitoksia parempana.

Pian leimusi pesässä iloinen tulennos. Aioin sytyttää lampun,

mutta Katri sanoi, että hämärässä istuminen oli rattoisaa, etenkin
kun me vietimme ensi iltaa kodissamme.

Nuorin lapsi heräsi. Hän otti pienokaisen syliinsä, siirsi tuolin takan
ääreen ja istui antaen loimottavan pystyvalkean lämmittää lasta.

Ilta oli pimennyt. Kadulla syttyi lyhty toisensa perästä. Meren pinta
välkehti iltaruskon sammuvassa hohteessa, ulapalla kynti laiva
aaltoja kymmenien tulien tuikkiessa.

Kun taas käännyin ja loin katseeni Katriin, joka istui lapsi sylissä
syrjittäin minuun, näin kuvan, joka monin verroin voitti edellisen.
Siinä oli jotakin niin tutunomaista, kodikasta, elettyä, että minä aivan
hätkähdin ja kysyin itseltäni, missä olin ennen nähnyt samanlaista.
Äkkiä, vaistomaisesti minulta pääsi huudahdus:

"Madonna!"

Katri katsoi minuun hymyillen:

"Joko sinä taas uneksit?"

"En, tämä on todellisuutta, ihanaa todellisuutta. Asetu niinkuin olit

äsken, niin olet ihan ilmetty… Kas niin! Nyt on arvoitus selvinnyt:
madonna olet sinä!"
 Katri nauroi:

"Sädekehää vain vailla, — pyhyyden loistetta."

"Rakkauden ja uskollisuuden sädekehä ympäröi päätäsi. Pitäkööt

pyhimykset ja enkelit kruununsa, minun silmissäni sinulla on loisto,
jota ei mikään maallinen eikä taivaallinen kirkkaus himmennä."

Huone oli pimennyt. Vain hiilivalkean himmenevä hehku levitti

salamyhkäistä kimmellystään. Minä tunsin sillä hetkellä sielussani
jotain niin korkeata, suurta, pyhää, että tuntuisi loukkaukselta yrittää
pukea sitä sanoihin.

Nyt kuulin liikuntaa seinän takaa. Sirkka oli palannut kaupungiltapa

käveli huoneessa, hyräillen ihanalla äänellään. Sitte hän avasi
pianiinon. Muutaman valmistavan akordin jälkeen hän alkoi laulaa —
laulaa madonnalaulua. Kuulimme selvään:

"On ilta, päivä mailleen käy,

mut ystävääni ei vain näy.
Oi etkö helly itkustain!
Madonna, kuule huutoain!"

Ihmeellinen liikutus valtasi minut.

"Katri, kuulehan! Noin kauniisti hän ei ole ikänä madonnasta

laulanut."

Katri nyökkäsi hiljaa. Taas soi laulu:

"Oot puhdas yli kaikkien,

mut minä kurja syntinen.
 Ah, jospa pyhyytes ma sain!
Madonna, kuule huutoain!"

Kuului muutama vihlova sointu, mikä kohta suli vienoon,

hyräilevään pianissimoon, jonka kaiku etääntyi, kuoli pois kuin
väsynyt laine rannan ruohikossa…

Hiilloskin oli riutunut. Sen viimeinen hohde kajasti Katrin kasvoille

ja siitä lapseen.

"Nyt tiedän varmaan, että madonna tuottaa onnea", sanoin minä.

Hän vastasi hymyillen:

"Ehkä on niin. Sen minä ainakin tiedän, että madonna on itse

onnellinen, sillä se rakastaa."

Ja hän puristi lasta rintoihinsa niinkuin Jumalan äiti kuvassa.

"Sinä olet oikeassa: madonna rakastaa, siksi se on onnellinen",

sanoin minä. "Rakkaus yksin tekee onnelliseksi!"
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